December 9 is remembered as Princess Dara Rassamee Day. A
day for people to honor one of the wives of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V of
the Chakri Dynasty).

The
Princess Dara Rassamee monument in front of Darapirom Palace.

Princess Dara Rassamee had dedicated her life to promote
and develop agriculture, art and culture of the Lanna kingdom, where the
Princess was born.

This year, Chulalongkorn University held Princess Dara
Rassamee Day at the Darapirom Palace Museum in Mae Rim District, Chiang Mai.

The
Princess Dara Rassamee monument in front of Darapirom Palace.

Offerings were presented at the Princess Dara Rassamee
monument and the Lanna ceremony called “Poo Charn” was performed, along
with a Grand Lanna procession. Many government officials and private
companies showed their loyalty and honor towards the Princess by laying
wreaths.

Consul
General Bea Camp (center) at the event.

Princess Dara Rassamee was born on August 26, 1873, a
daughter of Prince Intavichayanon of Chiang Mai. When she was 13, King
Chulalongkorn brought her to the palace in Bangkok and she became the
King’s concubine.

Upon the death of Prince Intavichayanon, King
Chulalongkorn elevated her to the rank of one of his official wives.

When King Chulalongkorn passed away on October 23, 1910,
the Princess continued to reside at Suan Farang Kang Sai Palace within the
Dusit Palace, but in 1914, she asked King Vachiravudh’s (Rama VI)
permission to return to her birthplace in the North.

Government
officials lay wreaths at the monument.

The Darapirom Palace was built after King Rama VI gave
his permission for the Princess to return home. The Princess used the palace
for a number of different activities involved with Lanna people and art. She
lived happily at the Darapirom Palace for almost 20 years, but on December
9, 1933, she died of lung disease at the age of 60.

Upon her death, the Darapirom Palace was bequeathed to
her relatives. It was later purchased by Chulalongkorn University. The
university has carried out extensive renovations to return the Palace to its
original state. The Palace has also been opened to the public as a museum,
showcasing objects connected with the Princess’s life and activities.

The exhibition “Nursemaids and Royal Servants of the Princess Dara
Rassamee” will be on display until March 31, 2005 from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. For
more information contact the Darapirom Palace at 0-5329-9175.

River transport possibilities

new choice for Chiang Mai

Nopniwat Krailerg

At this moment, Chiang Mai appears to be the hub of hubs,
with PM Thaksin Shinawatra, a Chiang Mai local as he proudly boasts, leading
the charge. There are new projects from the government now in progress, such
as the aviation hub, medical and health hub, the Night Safari Zoo, the
National Convention Center, Mass Transport System, and many others.

Fah
Ham harbor under construction.

Whilst these will revitalize the Chiang Mai economy, they
will also bring (even more) traffic congestion. However, nobody has paid
much attention to public transportation by boat, despite the fact that the
Ping River runs through the heart of the city.

Preecha Vorakul, president of Fah Ham Tambon
Administration Organization, sees the prospect in conducting a public
shuttle boat service from tambon Fah Ham pier to Chan Som Bridge, known as
the Waroros Market.

Boats
- the new alternative for Chiang Mai people.

This idea began five years ago and is gradually being
realized. The first budget of 1.5 million baht was spent with 300,000 baht
for building the boats and constructing a new pier behind Wat Ka Jao, on a
19 rai plot of public land.

The first boat trip was set to be inaugurated on December
5, the birthday of His Majesty the King, with Suwat Tantipat, Chiang Mai
governor presiding. This project, if fully utilized, will decrease traffic
jams on the main roads, reduce the number of private cars going downtown,
and solve the air pollution problem in the city.

Mae Ping
River Cruise Travel Service.

The first shuttle boat can seat up to 25 passengers, and
will run from Fah Ham pier to Chan Som Bridge. The boat will also call in to
the Ton Lum Yai Market pier and Maung Mai Market pier every hour. The
operating hours are from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily. The fees are 10 and 15 baht
for a single trip. All boat drivers and steersmen are well trained by the
Harbor Department and have certificates. Every seat on the boat is equipped
with a life jacket.

As demand increases for the service, Fah Ham TAO plans to
increase the number of boats to five by 2007. Expansion proposals have
received the green light, and the route may go up to Mae Rim district in the
future.

Preecha Natrangamkum, who owns the Mae Ping River Cruise
boat at Wat Chai Mongkol pier and one of the promoters of public
transportation by river, and the investors in the municipality, said that he
proposed this project in 1997 when Bussaba Yodbangtoey was mayor of Chiang
Mai.

Unfortunately, nothing came of the proposal at the time.
Now he has proposed the project to the municipality headed by Boonlert
Buranuprakorn, but has not yet received a reply. According to his project,
11 piers will be constructed and 10 boats with 20-30 seats will be built.
The total budget is 10 million baht.

“I live in Chiang Mai and have seen the congested
Charoenprated Road where many schools are located, for example, Montfort
School, Regina, Sacred Heart College, and Chairot School. It would be better
if we have a river transport system. I have already proposed in the plan
that a Walk Way should be constructed for students to walk to the pier.
During rush hour, the number of boats should be increased,” said Preecha.

He added that he wished the project would be realized as it would add
spice to the city, promote the province and ease people’s lives. His
company would look after the service and the management. The municipality
would get back some of the profits. He also supported the Fah Ham boat
project, trained the boat drivers and helped decorate the boats.